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What is a “session”?

A session is a time when Congress is conducting business in Washington, D.C. There are two regular sessions each Congress – the first beginning in January after a general election, and the second starting the following January. We are currently in the 2nd session of the 113th Congress.

Does your office hire interns?

Yes, we hire interns year-round. Interns in the Florida district offices must be high school age or older. Washington, D.C. interns must be college age or older. Internships are unpaid, but offer a great opportunity to get legislative experience, network, and obtain a first-hand view of how Congress functions on a daily basis. To get information about interning in one of my offices, contact the district office (941-951-6643) or the D.C. office (202-225-5015).

What is a “district work period”?

This is a period of time when Members of Congress are not voting, and leave Washington, D.C. to attend to matters back home. During my district work periods, I take time to meet with constituents and local officials. This time affords me the opportunity to stay in touch with the people I represent and allows me to stay apprised of the needs of my district.

What does a Committee do?

A committee’s main role is to work on legislation and perform oversight on issues within its jurisdiction. Committees do this by holding hearings where witnesses can testify about matters that they feel need the attention of Congress.

I serve as the only member from Florida on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, the oldest committee in the House of Representatives.

Who is in charge of committees?

Each committee has a chairman who presides over the committee and comes from the party that currently holds the majority. The ranking member is the committee’s top leader from the minority party.

Can I watch Committee hearings?

Many House Committees broadcast their hearings on their websites. You can also watch Committee hearings on C-SPAN. If you ever happen to be in Washington, D.C., many hearings are open to the public, and you are welcome to sit in the audience.

What is a Committee “markup”?

This is when a committee meets to discuss, debate, amend and vote on legislation. After a bill has been “marked up” and voted on by a committee, it can then be sent to the House Floor for consideration by the entire House of Representatives.